If we type the words hard work and smart work in the Google search field, we will find various stories that describe the differences between the two. Hard work is generally described as an ongoing effort to achieve a goal. These efforts are carried out in a short period of time to obtain optimal results. Perseverance and time are the keys to this type of effort. While smart work (smart work) is an effort to achieve a goal that is more described as a successful process of seeing opportunities, where actors succeed in achieving goals in a shorter time than hard work. The successes achieved are often broader in scope. Increasing work efficiency in various fields then requires someone to be able to place himself as a smart worker, not a hard worker who is seen as an outdated work model.
Over time, it turns out that smart work, which is believed to be a surefire tool for success, is not as simple as summarizing the achievement time by relying on the ability to see opportunities. In his book entitled Outliers (2008), Malcolm Gladwell describes an idea about the 10,000-Hour Rule where the optimal achievement of a person in a career requires at least a certain minimum level of practice that is carried out continuously to reach the expert level. In fact, the researchers set what they believe to be a set timeframe for earning the expert designation, namely 10,000 hours. In his book, Galdwell shows evidence that the greatness of an achievement does not come from natural talent but through the accumulation of as many exercises as possible at the right time and place.
Cal Newport in his book entitled So Good They Can’t Ignore You (2012) invites us to look again at what kind of mindset is worth developing in an effort to achieve success in a career. The results of research involving a variety of respondents ranging from musicians to successful film script writers in America made him believe that hard work done consistently by developing a craftman mindset is the key to career success. Craftsman Mindset can be started by doing the following steps:
- Determine the desired market share/area.
In general, this section is described as a market share that requires a single expertise (winner-take-all) or that requires multiple expertise (auction). Determining the market share you want to work on is important considering the preparations made are very different. Newport gave an example that the field of television script writing which is a winner-take-all market cannot be achieved by relying on work experience from various fields as an environmentalist should be able to master various fields in an effort to enter the auction market. - Identify the capital needed to support market share choices.
The capital in question is of course not only related to a number of materials or work experience. It is important to observe and follow up on the opportunities that have opened up since the determination of market share. - Determine the meaning of “success”.
Each individual has a benchmark against the success of each. It is very important to determine what kind of success you want to achieve after the market share and capital are determined. Without clear determination, one will not be able to measure how far effort must be made to achieve it. - Stretch and destroy.
One thing that is important to do in applying the craftsman’s mindset in achieving success is serious practice that is carried out continuously (deliberate practice). The deliberate practice referred to here is a routine practice that takes us out of a comfortable state. If the practice does not feel uncomfortable, it means that it must be stretched to a wider area until the feeling of discomfort is reached. Anders Erickson explained that if the effort to stretch is not done, we will stop at a certain level before then stopping at the comfort zone. Stretched efforts will destroy the walls of the comfort zone and lead us to real success. - Be patient.
To reach the expert level, being patient through a long process will test our commitment to the field being occupied. Patience is also a part of deliberate practice in dealing with various tempting sweet things that will always tempt us to move on from the perseverance we have lived.
Understanding the development pattern of achieving success in a career as described above, it may be concluded that smart work (smart work) is an ability to love hard work which over time will turn into increased skills that will give its own characteristics to achievement. . That expertise will determine the success you want to achieve.
Written by Nastiti
Click here for executive career opportunities or vacancies at Parrish & Co.